KR20130141433A - Fluid-leveled bearing plate - Google Patents

Abstract

The linear bearing assembly includes a linear bearing plate, a base plate for supporting the linear bearing plate in the machine, a sealing structure defined between the bearing plate and the base plate, and fluid injected into the volume through one or more injection ports. The fluid is injected at a constant pressure to change the orientation of the linear bearing plate or base plate towards the initial geometric direction.

Description

Fluid-level bearing plate {FLUID-LEVELED BEARING PLATE}

The present invention relates to linear bearing technology. In particular, it relates to steel and synthetic steel linear bearings, including, but not limited to mill stands. Various planar and ring bearings can be manufactured or modified using the present invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to linear bearings such as those used in heavy equipment for providing linear rod support and guidance, in particular the fact that the Hertzian stresses thus generated in high area loads and contact areas, for example, result in plastic deformation. This provides for heavy machinery where the area load is too high for support and guidance through other types of rotating bearing elements.

Linear bearings are used to support the lateral motion required by various processes and equipment, such as the bearing plates of mill windows of steel mills. The bearing surfaces of these bearing plates are generally exposed to three major wear factors, including zone loads, wear and corrosion. Wear, wear and corrosion generally lead to changes in bearing plate geometry.

Wear and corrosion effectively increase the spacing or motion between two connected bearing surfaces, and this increased motion allows undesirable relative movement of equipment components. Due to the high dynamic energy of the moving component, the dynamic load is proportional to the bearing motion or spacing. When the dynamic load reaches a certain level, the bearing plate transfers the dynamic load to the bearing mount and the reference surface. The gap increases quickly and the output quality of the mill stand falls off quickly.

Since the hardness of a material is directly proportional to the stiffness and flexibility of the material, the hardness and stiffness of the material used in the bearing plate is directly related.

The harder bearing plate material deforms the softer counterpart, and once the hardness of the bearing plate exceeds the hardness of the associated mounting surface, the bearing plate immediately causes a dynamic load on the mounting counterpart to elastically and plastically deform the mounting surface. Will be added. The resulting deformation gradually creates a gap in the connection between the bearing plate and the mounting surface. This gap allows the humidity and moisture to penetrate between the mating surfaces of the bearing through the capillary effect.

Humidity and moisture between the mating surfaces, for example between the bearing plate and the mounting surface, cause another wear factor called contact corrosion. Both mounting surfaces begin to change iron into iron oxides that are cleaned by treating them to send more humidity by relative motion under constant dynamic loads. The result is a continual increase in motion and spacing between the bearing plates and their associated mounting surfaces, as well as between the mating bearing surfaces of the associated equipment components.

With sufficient moisture, a fluid layer is formed between the bearing plate and the associated mounting surface. When high dynamic loads are applied to the fluid layer, cavitation occurs and results in other wear mechanisms. Cavitation consequently gradually changes the shape of the mounting surface to increase the loss of the mounting surface. Due to the fact that the mounting surface is at the same time a reference surface for the installation of the linear bearing plate, the equipment gradually becomes different from the setting in the intended geometry.

Changes in the base equipment geometry, for example windows of rolling mills, directly affect the base function of the equipment. In the case of rolling mills, changes in the shape of the rolling mill window change the geometrical relationship between the rolls and thus have a direct impact on the pressure process as well as the shape of the rolled product.

If a given combination of process-related limitations is exceeded, the reference base for the mill window structure and the bearing plate must be modified. There are two base processes for this modification. Prior to the present invention, the motion, spacing or volume formed by erosion, wear and abrasion was compensated by injecting shims or suitable resin material. Next, the surface is reworked with new accuracy and the opening of the mill window is compensated for by the increase in the bearing plate thickness. The choice of modification method is costly and time consuming because the whole mill must be completely stopped to apply the intended compensation technique. A quick and inexpensive method is to fill with a shim or resin and finally rework.

Prior art approaches to applying the resin first include mechanically adjusting the shape of the bearing plate using a combination of thrust and tension screws to provide a specific spacing between the bearing and the mounting surface. Next, a seal is provided to surround the bearing plate and finally resin is injected between the bearing plate and the adjacent mounting surface. 10 shows a process in which the resin material 200 is injected between the housing liner 202 and the housing body 204. The resin material is injected under pressure and held by a seal structure 206 surrounding the housing liner 202. The injected resin material 200 fills an internal volume defined between the wear liner of the housing liner 202 and the housing body 204. The success and durability of the method strongly depends on the preparation and cleanliness of the surface in direct contact with the resin. In addition, due to the very hostile environment of the equipment being repaired, the continued presence of oil and grease, the size of the mounting surface and the mounting surface in the most vertical direction, it is very difficult to ensure the cleanness of the resin-bonded surfaces necessary for the rehabilitation of the bearing system. Since the resin must be injected, it must be based on a two-component epoxy that requires a specific environmental temperature to be applied correctly. In addition, preferred temperature conditions for resin-setting are difficult to maintain in a facility under normal conditions unless this is not possible.

There are several negative effects of applying plastic filler or resin to the mounting surface of the mill housing body. Since it is difficult to clean the mounting surface of the housing body, the contact between the resin and the wear mounting surface is often not properly maintained. Subsequent dynamic loads on the bearing plates also open gaps or create contact areas between the resin and the mounting surface, causing chemical and fluid infiltration and corrosion. The plastic filler material or resin may form a foam that promotes de-lamination and corrosion.

Thus, there is a need for a safe, economically efficient and robust approach to remove the limitations of conventional approaches to maintenance and operation, especially for linear bearings operating in hostile environments.

The invention relates, in particular, to linear bearings such as those used in heavy machinery which provide linear guides in areas where the area rod is too high to utilize guiding through other types of rotating bearing elements.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a combination of novel approaches and methods, manufacturing and application advantages of existing solutions. This new solution has reached two major goals: reducing machine rework time and optimizing costs. Because the site conditions for repair work are mostly unoptimized. Increasing the safety of the entire repair procedure as described above is of particular importance.

Embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to prevent exceptional wear and corrosion of bearing surfaces through the proven technology of composite steel bearings (PCT Application No. PCT / IB2009 / 007920, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, WO 2010/064145). And the geometrical flexibility of mounting the bearing plate on the mill window where the original reference and the mounting surface have been lost by filling the gap between the wear mounting surface and the rear of the bearing plate with the appropriate resin (Germany included here for full reference). Patent Nr. DE 102005004483A1-October 8, 2006).

Embodiments of the present invention incorporate resins or other fluids in the volume defined between the bearing plate and the base plate. Surface conditions in the volume are more easily controlled. The cleanliness of the surface as well as the temperature in the volume can be controlled to a much better extent. In one embodiment, in addition to the cleanliness of the injection volume, as well as the integration of the base plate, the combination of thrust and tension screws, the perimeter seal structure makes injection more secure as well as better and safer protection of the corrosion mounting surface against further corrosion after repair. It offers advantages such as better technical conditions, better preparation for repair and rework. Application of embodiments of the present invention is limited only by the maximum strength that can be used with the resin. In applications where the strength of the resin is not high enough to withstand the area loads produced by the process, reworking of the mounting surface and increasing bearing plate thickness may be inevitable to ensure future process stability.

Embodiments of the present invention may also be configured incorporating a pressure sensor between the bearing and the base plate to collect load data, injection pressure. Pressure sensors can be used to control mechanical parameters or even control the pressure applied to the fluid volume between the bearing plate and the base plate. Pressure sensors can be used to provide dynamic adjustment of the bearing plate.

Embodiments of the present invention may also provide bearing optimization by selectively providing a pressurized fluid at a controlled volume defined between the bearing plate, base plate and seal structure. Fluid pressure and / or flow rate can be controlled to adjust or maintain the size between the bearing components. In one embodiment, a dynamically controlled bearing assembly is provided by dynamically adjusting the pressure applied to one or several control volumes. In this way, the fluid pressure can be controlled in response to measurements or other conditions that signal a deterioration or change in bearing dimensions.

Other objects are shown in the detailed description, drawings and claims that follow. The foregoing has outlined the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention are described below to form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the conception and specific embodiments described may be readily used as a basis for modifications or other structures designed to carry out the same purposes of the invention. . In addition, the corresponding structure should be realized by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. Together with other objects and advantages, novel features, such as organization and method of operation, which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, may be better understood in the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that each drawing is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

1 is a metal rolling stand in which an embodiment of the present invention can be used;
2 is another view of a metal rolling stand;
3 is a portion of a mill stand;
4 is a portion of a mill stand;
5 is a cross sectional view of a linear bearing assembly according to the invention;
6 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing assembly of FIG. 5 after a period of use;
7 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a linear bearing assembly according to the present invention;
8 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing assembly of FIG. 7 after a period of use;
9 is another embodiment of the present invention;
10 is a diagram for linear bearing rehabilitation according to the prior art.

1 shows a typical “4-high” steel rolling mill stand 10 having a mill housing 12, a backup choke 14, 16 and a work roll choke 18, 20 while the bearing plate is mounted to the choke and the housing body. ).

Such mill stands are disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,408,667, which is incorporated herein by reference. Chokes 14, 16, 18, 20 are supported on bearing plates. Flat bearings are an important factor in maintaining optimal rolling conditions, protecting housings and chokes from damage, and reducing downtime associated with maintenance of major mill components.

2 shows an example of a steel mill stand 30 having a housing 31 with a mill window 32, a choke 34 and a roll 36. The mill window bearing plate 40 and the choke bearing plate 42 cooperate to support the choke 34 and the roll 36. In operation, the bearing plates 40, 42 are coupled to each other to provide a linear guide to the choke 34 and the roll 36. In a typical steel production facility, bearing plates 40 and 42 operate in very hostile environments and are exposed to high dynamic loads, wear factors, hazardous chemicals and high temperatures. 2 shows a typical application of a linear bearing plate in a rolling mill, but other embodiments of the invention are not limited to this application. It is to be understood that variations of planar bearing systems can utilize the teachings of the present invention.

A further description of a linear bearing particularly suitable for the present invention is published under application number 12/263, 260, publication number US2009 / 0165521A1 entitled “Linear bearing plate for rolling mill”, filed October 31, 2008, It is incorporated herein by reference.

3 shows a number of mill window bearing plates 40 in the housing 31. The bearing plate 40 is fixed to the housing 31 via a plurality of thread fasteners 43. Each bearing plate 40 may vary with different load profiles and environmental conditions.

4 shows rather exaggeratedly the wear profile 44 on the bearing plate 40 worn in the mill window of the mill housing 31. The wear profile 44 is non-linear with certain portions of the bearing plate 40 worn more than others.

5 is a cross-sectional view of a bearing assembly according to the invention. FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention that defines an interior volume 53 surrounded by a suitable seal structure 54 to contain a bearing plate 50 and a resin or other fluid 56 in which the base plate 52 is infused. Shows. Base plate 52 may be made of a semi-elastic material suitable to withstand the load of rolling mill applications. The base plate 52 may also be selected as a material suitable for connecting the mounting surface 57 of the machine body 60 (eg, the mill housing 31). The base plate 52 is supported, for example in the vertical direction, on the mounting surface 57. Resin or other fluid 56 may be injected into the volume 52 during, for example, maintenance procedures or normal operating conditions.

Resin or other fluid 56 may be injected through an injection port located in base plate 52 or bearing plate 50 or seal structure 54. The injection port can be integrated into the design of the base plate or bearing plate with an outer coupling made of a pressurized fluid source.

6 shows a bearing plate 40 and a base plate 52 separated by resin layers 56 of various thicknesses. Seal structures 54 of varying heights retain the injected resin in the intended volume. In this figure, the base plate 52 and the mounting surface 57 of the machine body 60 are substantially worn. Peripheral seal structure 54 may be designed to accommodate a non-parallel relationship between bearing plate 50 and base plate 42 due to wear. Corrosion protection layer 59 may be applied between base plate 52 and machine body 60.

7 and 8, another embodiment of the present invention is shown with a bearing plate 70 positioned relative to the base plate 72. The bearing plate 70 is fixed to the base plate 72 by a combination of a threaded thrust bushing 74 and a tension bolt 75. Peripheral seal structure 54 is secured with bearing plate 70 and / or base plate 72. Peripheral seal structure 54 is shown to be located in part in the channel of base plate 72 and bearing fillrate 70.

When the mounting surface 80 of the machine body 60 wears out and is not parallel to the bearing surface, the bearing plate 70 is adjusted by a combination of threaded thrust bushing 74 and tension bolt 75. The base plate 72 is preferably semi-elastic to compensate for the different orientations of the bearing plate 70 and the mounting surface 80 of the machine body 60. After adjusting the bearing plate 72, the resin 84 can be safely injected into the protected and sealed volume 81 between the bearing plate 70 and the base plate 72. An anti-corrosion agent 59 is provided between the base plate 72 and the machine body 60 for long term corrosion protection of the mounting surface 80.

The volume 81 defined between the bearing plate 70 and the base plate 72 and bounded by the seal structure 54 can be filled with resin or other fluids, for example, during the maintenance procedure. The volume may comprise a single or multiple parts. For example, the seal structure 54 may define a plurality of separate resin / fluid volumes. The plurality of volumes may be independently filled with resin, or other fluids may be interconnected and filled while a single resin or fluid is being injected. Resin or other fluid can be injected at various pressures and flow rates depending on the needs of the overall system. In the case of unset injection fluid, the fluid may be withdrawn after a certain time or additional fluid may be injected later.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the unset fluid is introduced into the volume 81 and the fluid remains pressurized during subsequent use of the system. Fluid pressure can be controlled by a remote controller, for example to adjust the bearing parameters. For example, the non-set fluid may be controlled to change in size between the bearing plate 70 and the base plate 72 by dynamically changing the pressure of the fluid introduced into the one or more volumes 81.

Seal structure 54 may include an O-ring or other flexible sealing device. The seal structure 54 may be attached to the bearing plate 70 and the base plate 72 or both. Seal structure 54 may include multiple walls that define one wall or have additional protection against blow out or other failures. Seal structure 54 may be inserted into a channel or other relief that may minimize movement of seal structure 54.

Another embodiment of the present invention is provided in FIG. 9. Here, the pressure sensor 90 is mounted between the bearing plate 92 and the base plate 94. The pressure sensor 90 is calibrated before, during or after the injection of the resin material 96. The pressure sensor 90 signal cable 99 is connected to the appropriate control panel 98. Application of the pressure sensor 90 provides data that improves the understanding of the maximum load of the bearing plate 92 for other analysis and benchmarking.

Various linear bearings can utilize the properties of the present invention. For example, during the repair procedure, the resin may be injected into one or more ports of the bearing plate along with other ports acting as exhaust ports. In one embodiment, the resin is a polymer concrete combination with crystal grains of various sizes to optimize the filling of the volume between the bearing plate and the base plate. The polymer may be between 5% and 10% of the total volume to obtain a resin of relatively high strength and pressure resistance.

While the invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In addition, the scope of the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the detailed description. Those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains exist in series from the disclosure of the invention to perform the same function or achieve the same result as the process, machine, manufacture, corresponding embodiment described herein according to the invention or It will be understood to synthesize the materials, means, methods or steps developed later. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such securing, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims (19)

In a linear bearing assembly,
Linear bearing plate;
A base plate for supporting the linear bearing plate in the machine;
Sealing structure defined between the bearing plate and the base plate,
The sealing structure is made to seal a volume defined between the linear bearing plate and the base plate,
And a fluid injected in volume through one or more injection ports together with fluid injected at a constant pressure to change the orientation of the linear bearing plate or base plate towards the initial geometric direction. The linear bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the machine is a mill housing stand for rolling ferrous or nonferrous materials. 3. The linear bearing assembly of claim 2 wherein said base plate and bearing plate are inclined vertically in a mill housing stand. The linear bearing assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more pressure sensors configured to provide a signal indicative of pressure in the volume before, during or after resin injection. The linear bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a cured resin material. The linear bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a hydraulic fluid pressurized by a remote resource. 7. The linear bearing assembly of claim 6, wherein the fluid pressure is dynamically controlled to adjust the position of the linear bearing plate relative to the base plate while the machine is operating. In a linear bearing assembly,
A mill housing having one or more mill windows;
A base plate located in the mill window and supporting a linear bearing plate in the mill housing;
A sealing structure defined between the bearing plate and the base plate, the sealing structure at least partially sealing the volume defined between the base plate and the bearing plate,
And a fluid injected in volume through one or more injection ports with fluid injected at a constant pressure to change the shape of the linear bearing plate or base plate towards an initial geometric state. 9. The linear bearing assembly of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of rolls supported on the choke with the choke for transmitting loads to the linear bearing plate and the base plate. 10. The linear bearing assembly of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of mill window bearing plates with each of the plurality of plates separately and independently adjustable through injection of the fluid. 9. The linear bearing assembly of claim 8, further comprising one or more pressure sensors providing a signal indicative of pressure in the volume before, during or after injection of the fluid. 12. The linear bearing assembly of claim 11, further comprising a data processor providing a report designed to optimize the fluid injection procedure and collecting pressure data. 9. The linear bearing assembly of claim 8 wherein said fluid is a cured resin material. 9. The linear bearing assembly of claim 8 wherein said fluid is a hydraulic fluid. 15. The linear bearing assembly of claim 14, wherein the pressure of the hydraulic fluid can be selectively varied. A method of adjusting a linear bearing assembly,
Providing a base plate and a linear bearing plate for supporting the linear bearing plate in a metal rolling stand;
Placing a sealing structure between the bearing plate and the base plate, the sealing structure sealing the volume defined between the linear bearing plate and the base plate,
Fluid is introduced into the volume through one or more injection ports with fluid injected at a constant pressure to change the orientation of the linear bearing plate or base plate towards the initial geometric direction with the output of the metal rolling stand being changed based on fluid injection. And spraying the linear bearing assembly. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the fluid is a cured resin that maintains the orientation of the linear bearing plate and the base plate upon curing. 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the fluid is a hydraulic fluid moving away from the base plate and moving the linear bearing plate. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the pressure sensor determines the pressure in the volume and adjusts the pressure of fluid injection based on the determination.

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